Deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran told High Court judge Yazid Mustafa she was informed of the health status of the witness, a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigation officer, late last night.

“We urge this court to vacate the proceeding until Friday in the hope that the witness would have tested negative for the virus and will be able to take the stand,” she said.

Yazid hoped all parties concerned would be in court at 9am on Friday to resume proceedings.

Raja Rozela also informed the court that the prosecution would close its case after the investigating officer, the 18th witness, had completed his testimony.

The defence will file its written submission by Aug 29 and make oral submissions on Sept 1 and 2 while the prosecution will make its rebuttal from Sept 5 to 8.

Zahid, who is Umno president, is facing 33 charges of receiving bribes amounting to S$13.56 million (RM42 million) from Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) as the then home minister to extend the firm’s contract as the operator of the one-stop centre in China and the foreign visa (VLN) system as well as to maintain the contract agreement for the supply of the VLN integrated system.

The Bagan Datuk MP is also accused of another seven counts of obtaining for himself S$1.15 million, RM3 million, 15,000 Swiss francs and US$15,000 from the same company in connection with his official duties.

He is charged with committing all the offences at Seri Satria in Precinct 16, Putrajaya, and at Country Heights, Kajang, between October 2014 and March 2018.

Zahid is advancing the defence of selective prosecution.